Latest news with #CenturionTest
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
Prasidh not too worried about higher economy rate in return for wickets
Prasidh Krishna has had a tough initiation into Test cricket. Having made his debut 18 months ago in the Centurion Test against South Africa, he has had a stop-start career. He has played just four matches, secured 13 wickets, leaked runs at more than five an over and lost eight months to a quadriceps injury. Yet, there is a quiet confidence in the Indian thinktank that the 29-year-old who measures at 6'2' is a supremely viable option. The first Test against England in Leeds may not have been pretty for Prasidh, as he bowled 35 overs across two innings, conceded a whopping 220 runs and scalped five wickets. But he is the kind of hit-the-deck bowler India has long desired, one who can generate disconcerting bounce and threaten the top-half of the bat. With Ishant Sharma no longer involved, Prasidh is seen as that bowler who can extract more from the turf. One bad match, and that too at a ground that has historically helped those who have bowled fuller, is not going to change that. 'I definitely did not bowl the lengths that I wanted,' Prasidh admitted after the five-wicket loss in Headingley. 'Not wanting to float it up is definitely one of the reasons. In the first innings, I was a little shorter than where I wanted to be. That six to eight [metre length] is ideal. 'The second innings got better because the wicket was slightly slower. I had to pitch slightly behind and then go fuller when I was trying to get a wicket.' In the past, India has sought control and discipline from the third pacer. But in Leeds, Prasidh literally 'bought' wickets by forcing batters into pulls and hooks, with captain Shubman Gill even coming up with customised fielding positions. The next four Tests, starting with Edgbaston from July 2, will offer more clarity on his role. 'Somebody in the team had to do it,' Prasidh said. 'If I sit back and say, 'I want to look at my numbers, what my economy is,' and not really look at the wickets... It cost me a four and a six, but Jamie Smith got out. If it means that I do that and get a wicket, I'm happy to do it.' But deep down, Prasidh is clear about his own expectations. 'Every time I bowl, I'm definitely looking to bowl a maiden,' he stated. 'The outfield [at Headingley] was fast, the lengths, lines that I bowled were not perfect, and they took me on. 'Some of them were edges, some of them I tried bowling bouncers and ended up giving runs. I definitely would want to bring that [economy] down. I'm learning as well and it's my responsibility to get better.' It is imperative that this happens fast as India will be significantly weakened by Jasprit Bumrah's absence in two of the four remaining Tests. 'We are learning off each other,' the lanky speedster said. 'He's [Bumrah] been talking to all of us all even before coming here. [Mohammed] Siraj has played a lot of games, and he's going to continue. 'One thing you cannot get is experience. That you have to earn yourself, and all of us are excited. Whoever comes in, or whatever happens later, it's [going to be] an opportunity for us.'
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
IND vs ENG: Hunting for wickets comes first for Prasidh Krishna
Prasidh Krishna has had a tough initiation into Test cricket. Having made his debut 18 months ago in the Centurion Test against South Africa, he has had a stop-start career. He has played just four matches, secured 13 wickets, leaked runs at more than five an over and lost eight months to a quadriceps injury. Yet, there is a quiet confidence in the Indian thinktank that the 29-year-old who measures at 6'2' is a supremely viable option. The first Test against England in Leeds may not have been pretty for Prasidh, as he bowled 35 overs across two innings, conceded a whopping 210 runs and scalped five wickets. But he is the kind of hit-the-deck bowler India has long desired, one who can generate disconcerting bounce and threaten the top-half of the bat. With Ishant Sharma no longer involved, Prasidh is seen as that bowler who can extract more from the turf. One bad match, and that too at a ground that has historically helped those who have bowled fuller, is not going to change that. 'I definitely did not bowl the lengths that I wanted,' Prasidh admitted after the five-wicket loss in Headingley. 'Not wanting to float it up is definitely one of the reasons. In the first innings, I was a little shorter than where I wanted to be. That six to eight [metre length] is ideal. 'The second innings got better because the wicket was slightly slower. I had to pitch slightly behind and then go fuller when I was trying to get a wicket.' In the past, India has sought control and discipline from the third pacer. But in Leeds, Prasidh literally bought wickets by forcing batters into pulls and hooks, with captain Shubman Gill even coming up with customised fielding positions. The next four Tests, starting with Edgbaston from July 2, will offer more clarity on his role. 'Somebody in the team had to do it,' Prasidh said. 'If I sit back and say, 'I want to look at my numbers, what my economy is,' and not really look at the wickets... It cost me a four and a six, but Jamie Smith got out. If it means that I do that and get a wicket, I'm happy to do it.' But deep down, Prasidh is clear about his own expectations. 'Every time I bowl, I'm definitely looking to bowl a maiden,' he stated. 'The outfield [at Headingley] was fast, the lengths, lines that I bowled were not perfect, and they took me on. 'Some of them were edges, some of them I tried bowling bouncers and ended up giving runs. I definitely would want to bring that [economy] down. I'm learning as well and it's my responsibility to get better.' It is imperative that this happens fast as India will be significantly weakened by Jasprit Bumrah's absence in two of the four remaining Tests. 'We are learning off each other,' the lanky speedster said. 'He's [Bumrah] been talking to all of us all even before coming here. Siraj has played a lot of games, and he's going to continue. 'One thing you cannot get is experience. That you have to earn yourself, and all of us are excited. Whoever comes in, or whatever happens later, it's [going to be] an opportunity for us.'
Hindustan Times
7 days ago
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Suniel Shetty, Athiya Shetty turn cheerleaders for KL Rahul as he hits memorable ton in India vs England Test
Cricketer KL Rahul's outstanding performance at Headingley, where he scored a century in the second innings against England, didn't go unnoticed by his loved ones. His wife, Athiya Shetty, beamed with pride, while his father-in-law, Suniel Shetty, couldn't help but praise his skills. Suniel Shetty's daughter Athiya Shetty married KL Rahul in 2023. After KL Rahul's century in the second innings gave India the upper hand in the first Test of the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, Athiya took to Instagram to congratulate her husband. She shared a photo of him celebrating the milestone on the field, captioning it "This one is special". She shared the note with a heart emoji. Athiya beamed with pride at KL Rahul's performance. Suniel, meanwhile, showered praise on his son-in-law KL Rahul, saying, 'A knock that spoke less, but said everything. Proud of you son @klrahul'. He also shared a picture of KL Rahul from the field. Actor Arjun Kapoor also shared a bunch of pictures from the match and wrote in the caption, "Stunning off drives while scoring his beautiful century in Headingley inspiring me in Bandra'. Suniel Shetty said he is proud of KL Rahul. More about the India vs Eng Test KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant hit contrasting centuries on the fourth day to set England 371 to win the first Test at Headingley, Leeds. In reply, England batted out six overs for 21/0, setting up this Test for all four results on Tuesday, where they have 90 overs to score 350 runs. This is KL Rahul's first Test ton in almost 18 months. He had last scored a century against South Africa in the Centurion Test in December 2023. Out of his nine Test hundreds, eight have been as an opener for Rahul. Upon reaching the milestone, Rahul took his helmet off and soaked in the applause of the Headingley crowd. This is KL Rahul's third hundred in England. He is the only Indian opening batter to have three centuries in the UK. He now averages close to 40 in the country.
Hindustan Times
23-06-2025
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Manjrekar rips into post-Kohli panic as Rahul, Pant slam second innings tons: 'What after Virat is irrational'
Ever since the retirement of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from Tests, there were fears regarding how an Indian playing XI will fare in the five-match series against England on overseas shores. The Shubman Gill-led side is without their three most senior pros - Virat, Rohit and Ravichandran Ashwin, hence the fear of fans was warranted. However, the young lineup has put all the outside talk to rest. Shubman Gill and the rest of his team are bossing the ongoing first Test against England and are favourites to walk away with a favourable result. Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar had a brutal take on 'what after Virat Kohli' fear(AP) Looking at how a young Indian lineup has been performing in the first Test, former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar had a brutal take on 'what after Virat Kohli' fear as he lauded Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul for their tons against England. KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant slammed centuries in the second innings to propel India's position in the Headingley Test. The left-handed Pant is just the second wicketkeeper in the history of the game to score centuries in both innings of a Test. Ever since Kohli retired from the longest format, having played 123 Tests, fans have been panicking about the health of Test cricket. Virat Kohli has long supported Tests, often saying that the longest format is the 'toughest.' Even after RCB's maiden IPL triumph, Virat Kohli famously said that this victory ranks 'five levels' below Test cricket. Also Read: IND vs ENG Live Score: KL Rahul, Karun Nair gear up to push India into winning position However, Manjrekar said that cricket will always remain the top sport in the country as several youngsters are waiting to represent the country. 'Cricket is a by far the no 1 sport in India. There is tremendous incentive for young kids to take up cricket. Hence 'What after Fab 4, or what after Virat' is an irrational fear,' Manjrekar wrote on X (formerly Twitter). India on top in the Headingley Test England got off to the perfect start possible on Day 4 of the Headingley Test as Brydon Carse dismissed Shubman Gill in the first over. However, from then on, Pant and Rahul kept the England attack at bay. Pant and Rahul both slammed centuries in the second innings, and the duo put on 195 runs for the fourth wicket. KL Rahul smashed his first century in 18 months in Test cricket. He had last scored a ton against South Africa in the Centurion Test in 2023. Earlier, India had gained a lead of six runs in the first innings after Jasprit Bumrah's five-wicket haul helped India bundle out England for 465. In India's first innings with the bat, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Gill, and Pant scored centuries, and India posted 471 runs on the board.
Hindustan Times
23-06-2025
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
KL Rahul smashes first Test ton in almost 18 months, Shubman Gill cannot help but applaud: ‘High class stuff'
KL Rahul might have been kicking himself in the first innings of the Headingley Test against England after he failed a rash shot. After doing all the hard work, the right-hander threw his wicket away as he chased a wide delivery off the bowling of Brydon Carse. As a result, he walked back to the dressing room for 42. However, KL Rahul was a man possessed in the second innings as he helped India solidify their position in the first Test of the five-match series. India vs England, 1st Test: KL Rahul smashes his ninth hundred as the visitors solidify their position in Headingley. (AP) Rahul, 33, brought up his ninth Test century on Day 4 of the ongoing first match. He brought up the milestone off the bowling of Shoaib Bashir in the 62nd over of the game. The right-hander took 202 balls to bring up the three-figure mark. This is KL Rahul's first Test ton in almost 18 months. He had last scored a century against South Africa in the Centurion Test in December 2023. Out of his nine Test hundreds, eight have been as an opener for Rahul. The senior batter has arguably had the best technique among all batters in the Headingley Test, and finally, he has been rewarded for his hard work and determination. Upon reaching the milestone, Rahul took his helmet off and soaked in the applause of the Headingley crowd. The India captain, Shubman Gill, also had a bright smile on his face as he applauded the feat of KL Rahul. 'High-class stuff from a high-class player. What an absolute joy to watch,' said Nasseer Hussain on commentary. 'Just a beautiful cover drive, that's how he got to a wonderful hundred,' said Michael Atherton. This is KL Rahul's third hundred in England. He is the only Indian opening batter to have three centuries in the UK. He now averages close to 40 in the country. On Day 3, Rahul helped India not lose wickets in a cluster. After the loss of Yashasvi Jaiswal (4), Rahul retrieved India's innings along with Sai Sudharsan (30). Rahul kept moving the scoreboard along, and England bowlers were unable to create pressure and curb the run flow. Also Read: IND vs ENG Live Score: Rishabh Pant on the charge after half-century On Day 4, Brydon Carse struck in the very first over as he dismissed India captain Shubman Gill. Rishabh Pant then joined Rahul in the middle and the duo had to toil hard as England bowlers did not give away any easy freebies. However, after grinding it out in the first hour, Rahul unleashed his wide array of shots. He was helped by Harry Brook as the England batter dropped a sitter in the slips. Pant and Rahul then eventually saw out the first session. In the second session, Rahul and Pant tried to score aggressively. The England attack had no answers, and eventually, Rahul reached the three-figure mark in the 62nd over of the second innings. India in the driver's seat in the Headingley Test The Shubman Gill-led India are completely in the driver's seat owing to Rahul and Pant's heroics in the second innings of the Headingley Test. India's lead has gone past the 200-run mark. The Headingley pitch has also not deteriorated, and India would look to give England a target of more than 400 runs. It must be mentioned that KL Rahul started opening the batting again in the longest format in the absence of Rohit Sharma in the Perth Test against Australia. He was dropped down the order once Rohit decided to open the batting in the Melbourne Test. However, Rohit's retirement from Tests paved the way once again for Rahul to open the batting.
